104-year-old Australian scientist seeks Swiss euthanasia

Australian supporters of voluntary euthanasia fear doctors will try to prevent a 104-year-old scientist from flying to Switzerland this week to end his life through that country's program of legal assisted dying.

Renowned academic David Goodall has made arrangements to travel to Basel, where an end of life clinic has approved his application for euthanasia, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported today.

Goodall, an honorary research associate at Edith Cowan University in Perth, does not have a terminal illness, but is seeking voluntary euthanasia - which is illegal in Australia - on the grounds his quality of life has deteriorated.

Voluntary euthanasia campaigner Philip Nitschke said Tuesday he fears doctors will oppose Goodall's plan to travel because his condition is not serious enough to warrant him taking his own life.